1
as in misleading
tending or having power to deceive
in his deceptive answer about the vehicle's history, the salesman said that the used car had never been hit by another car
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fraudulent
given to or marked by cheating and deception
a mail-order firm indicted for deceptive business practices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deceptive
Arsenal’s first two games back from the international break have proven that the number of players who withdrew from their national squads was not a deceptive tactic.
—
James McNicholas, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
In the class action suit, Rodriguez requested a jury trial, damages, restitution and injunctive relief to prevent Hollister from continuing to use its alleged deceptive pricing practices.
—Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 6 Apr. 2026
The site of the deadliest avalanche in California history is a surprisingly peaceful ravine, highlighting the deceptive nature of the terrain that claimed nine lives.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Also, offering free samples is deceptive marketing, due to evidence that 7-OH is addictive.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
James McNicholas, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
In the class action suit, Rodriguez requested a jury trial, damages, restitution and injunctive relief to prevent Hollister from continuing to use its alleged deceptive pricing practices.
—Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 6 Apr. 2026
The site of the deadliest avalanche in California history is a surprisingly peaceful ravine, highlighting the deceptive nature of the terrain that claimed nine lives.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Also, offering free samples is deceptive marketing, due to evidence that 7-OH is addictive.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deceptive
Adjective
-
Such allegations are widespread but misleading.—
William Proctor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Hartsuch, a proponent of using ivermectin to treat COVID-19, alleges that in December 2021, Kent Nebel, then the executive director of the Board of Medicine, indicated that 17 Iowa doctors had complaints filed against them for spreading false or misleading information about COVID-19.—
Clark Kauffman,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The state agency that oversees Medicaid has been under scrutiny after the discovery of millions of dollars in potentially fraudulent payments.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The documents describe an elaborate hoax in which the defendants allegedly created fake companies and fraudulent email accounts and driver’s licenses to help fool lenders into loaning them huge sums of money.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For me, the possible false note lay not in Aramayo’s performance but in the script.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Local police too, have stated that false posts circulating in WhatsApp groups, including claims of worker deaths and exaggerated reports of violence and arrests, have contributed to the escalation of unrest.—
Mayu Saini,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Leptospires survive in shady, wet and muddy environments, building up on mud particles as slime.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Alex Cooper asked Alix Earle what’s the beef between them after Earle had seemingly been reposting and commenting on shady videos about her for some time.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Laptop twee tries to pretend those simpler times are accessible, which makes for exaggerated, juvenile glee—a dishonest document of 2026, but a wildly appealing one.—
Samuel Hyland,
Pitchfork,
15 Apr. 2026
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The election took place amid a surge in violent crime and corruption that has fueled widespread discontent among voters, who largely view candidates as dishonest and unprepared for the presidency.—
Franklin Briceño,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Still just missing that big hit to put some of these crooked numbers up there.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Look for anything loose, crooked, damaged, or scratched.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deceptive. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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